Presenter Rick Bond from Sylvan Acoustic demonstrating his DIY speakers.

[ArthurDent]

Presenter Rick Bond from Sylvan Acoustic demonstrating his DIY speakers.

 

7:30pm Wednesday 17th July

Willis Room, City of Whitehorse Offices
Maroondah Highway (Whitehorse Road), Nunawading
Melway Map 48 Ref G9
Contact: 9579 0936

 

As part of the December DIY, night, Rick brought a pair beautifully finished 2 way speakers which were paired with Alan Hull's battery-powered, 100-watt KT150 tube amplifier. Unfortunately as can happen with audio, the amplifier and speakers didn't want to talk to each other. A bit like Biden and Trump agreeing to debate sensibly. There was a subtle distortion that invading the signal and for Rick this was the biggest takeaway from his presentation; not what he was hoping. Small things loom large in audio.

 

I spoke with Rick afterwards and I could tell he was devastated; his hard work and expertise was not reflected in the sound that night. During the afternoon he tested the speakers on his home system and he assured me they performed flawlessly. Rick had every confidence of an impressive demo. Keeping it in perspective, the sound wasn't horrible, it was quite good actually, but as most of us audiophiles can be a bit (sometimes a lot) anally retentive, Rick was very disappointed. Nothing worse that your prize project not delivering.

 

So knowing how fickle audio can be, I invited Rick to arrange another demo at a future General Meeting so he could show us what his speakers can really do. For those who weren't at the December DIY, the speakers are crafted in the most gorgeous bamboo finish. See this year's January MAN, under Paul Boon's December GM summary, and you will see some fine craftsmanship.

 

They use a pair of SB Acoustics Textreme drivers. The bass/midrange driver is a carbon fiber laminate and the tweeter, a beryllium dome, crossed over at 3.5kHz. His amplifier is an Accuphase, but I have no further details about the model number or whether it's integrated or separates. Rick assures me that both work well together. So we should expect to be impressed. Come along and see what fine work can be accomplished by one of our very talented members. Of course guests are welcome, so tell your friends.

 

Sylvan Acoustic Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/sylvanacoustic/

 

Laurie Nicholson
MAC President
(Filling in for Dave Polanske, Programme Coordinator)

 

Ken Tripp

Wise and Wonderful Webmaster
Melbourne Audio Club, Inc.

Edited July 16, 2024 by ArthurDent

[Guest]

The attention to detail in everything @coffeemachinist does is second to none. I sincerely hope this is his breathrough product as I know it has been quite some time in development!

[coffeemachinist]

Thanks Marc!

 

It's a strange world, I've gone from designing complex electronics and DSP powered active speakers to simple passive designs. Mostly this is because the process is more satisfying and I can deliver products that will appeal to a broader range of people, some that might be new to hi fi and confused or intimidated by the technology. 

 

Glad to say it was a great night with many commenting that both speaker designs, though small, were among the best they had heard in the room. Anyone that wants to drop by Northcote for a demo is more than welcome to reach out!

 

Cheers, Rick